By Athirah Abdul Aziz (UiTM Intern)
Pix Abd Ra’ai Osman

BANGI, 27 May 2014 – The National University of Malaysia (UKM) Graduate School of Business (GSB) is seriously pursuing inter-governmental links and inter-agency collaborations following the holding of a two-week Study Visit to Malaysiaprogramme to train Colombo’s civil servants.

Under the programme 36 officers from Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) are taking part in the programme at the UKM campus here to help enhance the capacity of public service of Sri Lanka.

It is a follow-up to the visit of the Secretary to Sri Lanka’s President Lalith Weeratunga in September 2013 in which he gave a public lecture on reinventing public service.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Malaysia Ibrahim Ansar speaking at the launching ceremony last Monday praised UKM for the training which also showed the close links between Malaysia and Sri Lanka and especially its relationship with UKM.

Dean of GSB, Professor Dr Izani Ibrahim said UKM is aiming at implementing world-class education and research with a strong perspective on South-East Asia.

The programme for SLIDA will help to strengthen UKM’s resolve to redouble its efforts at international collaborations with the hope of creating potential opportunities for knowledge development and sharing of experiences.

Pro Izani said the presence of the Sri Lankan officials in UKM had proved that both countries consider human capital development important in creating a business-friendly environment in efforts to increase the socio-economic development of the people.

The programme is aimed at enhancing public leadership and management skills of the participants. It also offers an appreciation of public sector management and transformation of the Malaysian public service.

Additional Director-General (Post-Graduate Studies) of SLIDA, Thilakasiri Moderage also attended the opening ceremony.